Chapter Two — The Mandara Forest

Tato Mandārakaṃ nāma vanaṃ sarva-vanād varam,
Sukhadaṃ śubhadaṃ sākṣād brahma-jyotirmayaṃ param. (28)

Beyond the radiant sphere of Brahman lay Mandara, foremost of all forests, directly composed of supreme spiritual light and bestowing happiness and blessing.

Dvijāli-kula-kalitaṃ kāmināṃ kāmadaṃ param,
Sarva-puṣpa-phalopetaṃ madhu-bhārair vilambitam. (29)

It rang with birds and bees, overflowed with every flower and fruit, and its branches bent beneath the bees’ burden of honey. It fulfilled lovers’ highest desires.

Vedī-maṇḍapa-saṃbādhaṃ maṇi-stambhair vibhūṣitam,
Padmarāgasya padmābha-sopānair upaśobhitam. (30)

Altars and pavilions filled the forest, adorned with jewelled columns and lotus-like stairways of ruby.

Atīva nirmalaṃ kāntaṃ kāminī-kāma-vardhanam,
Vinodayann ātmajāyāṃ tatra Rāmo rarāma ha. (31)

Pure and radiant, increasing a lover’s desire, that ground became Rama’s place of play as he delighted his beloved Janaki.

Viharantau vanaitasmin Hari-candana-saṃjñite,
Yatra vṛkṣa-latā-kuñjā hema-valkala-śālinaḥ. (32)

The Couple then wandered in the forest called Harichandana, where trees, vines, and bowers wore bark of gold.